Postdoc in sexual selection and epidemiology

The Department of Zoology is one of the oldest departments at Stockholm University and has a long history of fundamental and applied research on animals, from arthropods to large mammals. The department is a dynamic research environment and consists of approximately 80 employees, including permanent professors, researchers, doctoral students, and administrative staff. There are several research groups working with fish ecology, evolution and behavior, as well as with sexual selection in other biological systems.

More information about us can be found at: Zoologiska institutionen.

Project description

The Department of Zoology at Stockholm University is recruiting a postdoc for the project ”EpiSex: The effects of sexual selection on epidemic outcomes”. The project is funded through a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC), awarded to Jessica Stephenson.

The project aims to investigate two consequences of sexual selection for the development and dynamics of epidemics. Firstly, infectious diseases spread through contact between individuals. Reproduction constitutes an important driver behind such contacts, as mate choice can influence which individuals interact and thus the opportunities for parasite transmission. If individuals prefer partners with well-developed sexual ornaments, which generally indicate high resistance to parasites, this can lead to reduced disease spread. Secondly, individuals that choose partners with high resistance to parasite infections can obtain indirect benefits by their offspring receiving increased genetic resistance to parasites. If individuals consistently choose genetically resistant partners for reproduction, the population's genetic resistance to parasites can successively increase over generations, which in turn can have significant epidemiological consequences.

The project will combine experimental epidemic studies in artificially selected guppy lines with AI-assisted behavior tracking, mathematical modeling, and complementary laboratory experiments. The purpose is to investigate how female mate choice affects epidemic dynamics and disease spread. The postdoc will have a leading role in the experimental work, data collection, and quantitative analyses, as well as contributing to international research collaborations. The employment also offers the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in Trinidad.

Tasks

The employment is primarily focused on research. The postdoc will work on establishing and further developing existing protocols for experimental epidemics and experimental design for application within the project. They will work together with a team consisting of doctoral students, master's students, and research technicians to conduct experiments. The postdoc will be responsible for and oversee the use of tracking software to extract behavioral data. Furthermore, they will conduct breeding experiments and phenotype analyses to understand the outcome of sexual selection during epidemics. In addition to the project's core questions, there are several additional research directions that the postdoc can develop depending on interest and competence.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for employment as a postdoc, a doctoral degree or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a relevant doctoral degree is required. The degree must be obtained no later than when the employment decision is made.

Assessment criteria

It is meritorious if the doctoral degree or equivalent was obtained at most three years before the last application date. If there are special reasons, an earlier degree may also be considered meritorious. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, service within the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

Upon appointment, special weight will be attached to scientific skill relevant to the project. Experience with demanding experiments with small fish – preferably guppy – as well as behavior tracking data, quantification of sexual ornaments and behaviors, and development of new experimental setups is meritorious. Documented ability to use such data to answer current and significant questions within ecology and evolution is particularly meritorious. We are looking for a person who can synthesize ideas and data from different research fields, has strong statistical and computational competence (Python and R for use of tracking software and analysis of the generated data), and has a publication list showing high scientific competence in these areas. Very good ability to communicate in speech and writing is also a requirement.

About the employment

The employment is intended to be full-time and is permanent, however at least two years and at most three years, with the possibility of extension if there are special reasons. Commencement by agreement.

We offer

With us, you get the dynamics of the interaction between higher education and research that makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You will work in an international environment and receive favorable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park with good connections to the city.

Stockholm University is committed to being a workplace that is free from discrimination and provides equal rights and opportunities for all.

Contact

Information about the employment is provided by Jessica Stephenson, jess.stephenson@zoologi.su.se.

Application

You apply for the position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete and that it reaches the university no later than the last application date.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the webpage: att söka en anställning.

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